SR-91 (I-5 to SR-57) Lane Addition Project

Project Contacts 1 of 2

Fernando Chavarria

Andrea Hammann

Construction Highlights

On
May 1, 2013, OCTA and Caltrans broke ground on this third in a series of five
freeway improvement projects on the 91 in Orange County. Anaheim-based C.C.
Myers Inc. was awarded the construction contract after submitting the lowest,
responsive bid. The new lane and improved ramps opened to the traveling public
on March 24, 2016.

General Information

Closures

Construction Highlights

On
May 1, 2013, OCTA and Caltrans broke ground on this third in a series of five
freeway improvement projects on the 91 in Orange County. Anaheim-based C.C.
Myers Inc. was awarded the construction contract after submitting the lowest,
responsive bid. The new lane and improved ramps opened to the traveling public
on March 24, 2016.

Detours

Gallery

Documents

General Information

Closures

Overview Tab Content:

Project Overview

OCTA and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 12 added a new, four-mile westbound general purpose lane to State Route 91 between State Route 57 and Interstate 5. The new lane reduces choke-point conditions from the southbound 57 freeway to westbound 91, providing a smoother and more efficient transition for motorists. Additionally, motorists can now connect from SR-57 to I-5 without changing lanes on the 91.

With the improvements, this pivotal six-mile stretch of SR-91 now includes four general-purpose lanes and one carpool lane. The existing carpool lane is striped to allow continuous access by drivers, which studies have shown reduces accidents and air pollution.

Beyond the new lane, the project reconstructed 10 westbound on- and off-ramps which provide dual exit lanes, added capacity and dedicated turn lanes to reduce back-up on the freeway and streamline transitioning from the freeway to local streets. The improvement project also constructed 12 retaining and-or sound walls, and widened bridges at State College Boulevard, Acacia Street, Raymond Avenue, the Metrolink Overcrossing, Euclid Street and Brookhurst Road. Lanes and shoulders were also restriped and standardized within the project limits. Additionally, overhead signage and barriers provide enhanced visibility and safety for motorists.

About the Project Area

Located in northern Orange County, the Riverside Freeway (SR-91) is one
of the region’s most vital, but also most congested commuter and commercial
corridors. Everyday more than 300,000 motorists drive it to get to work,
school, home and other essential destinations. And by 2035, more than 425,000 drivers
are expected to travel the 91 daily. The 91 Freeway connects communities in
Riverside County with employment centers in Orange County. It also serves as a
“bridge” that links commercial trucks transporting good and products from the
ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to key local, regional and even national
markets. Orange County visitors and locals alike, also drive SR-91 to get to
world-class attractions and special events at Anaheim Stadium, The Honda
Center, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and other destinations. In short, SR-91
helps drive our economy and quality of life. This is why building “A Better 91”
to keep the 91 Freeway moving, will help keep Orange County moving.

91 Freeway Improvement Program

Details Tab Content:

Bridges

As
part of the project, construction crews widened six bridges in the westbound
direction at: State College Boulevard, Acacia Street, Raymond Avenue, Metrolink
Crossing, Euclid Street, and Brookhurst Road. In an effort to maximize safety
and minimize traffic impacts, demolition work of overpasses largely took place
during the night.

Walls

More
than 10 retaining and/or sound walls were built between State College Boulevard
and Brookhurst Road as part of this project. Existing walls at Acacia Street,
adjacent to Houston Avenue between Euclid Street and Brookhurst Road, and along
the westbound 91 on-ramp at Brookhurst Road were demolished to make room for
the new lane and were reconstructed at a height equal or greater than the
previous wall.

Houston Channel

The
Houston Channel is a storm drain facility owned and operated by the Orange
County Flood Control District (OCFCD) that runs above ground along the northern
side of the 91 Freeway. To make room for the new lane and shoulder, crews
reconstructed a limited section of the Houston Channel between Euclid Street
and Brookhurst Road to an underground channel with the carrying capacity
required by the OCFCD.

Project Funding

Funding
for the $61 million freeway improvement project is provided by state and local
sources, including Orange County’s Measure M and the State of California’s
Transportation Corridor Improvement Fund (TCIF).

Outreach

The 91 Outreach Team is available
to make a presentation to your neighborhood, organization or business. Feel
free to contact us with your request, questions or comments by email, phone or
social media. You can also stay informed by visiting this page on a recurring
basis, joining the project email list, going to the project map at
www.octa.net/91detourmap or following @91fwy on Twitter.